Friday (4/8/2016) @ WS

[wmelo]

Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon.
High around 50F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph

No ideal, but doable.

thoughts?

[wmelo]

The weather forecast to this Friday is improving...

Partly cloudy skies. High 53F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.

so, let us go?

[Ward Odenwald]

I agree Walt. WS Friday casts are now looking worthy of taking a day off. I hope they're accurate as this weekend's forecasts are predicting blown-out conditions on Saturday and light southerly winds on Sunday afternoon.

Ward

[Lostgriz]

I would be interested in Friday, if the forecast works.

Matt

[smurfsky101]

Looking more and more west on the forecast :/

[wmelo]

According to weather.com

Partly cloudy. High 53F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.

WNW at WS is fine

[Blaine]

I'm interested. Any observers going?

[Ward Odenwald]

The morning forecasts indicate (at least to me) that the Pulpit looks as if it will have better ridge soaring. Pulpit afternoon wind direction and speed at 1, 2 and 3K msl suggest a decent lift band that's below 25mph. Comments/alternative views?

More recent predictions have upped the velocity so the above suggestion has most likely become unrealistic.

Ward

[Blaine]

Pulpit is closer for me. Ward if you decide on going there I'll join you. At the very least I can help you launch and drive if needed.

[Ward Odenwald]

NOAA is now suggesting strong to blownout conditions at the Pulpit with wind gusts above 25.

[Ward Odenwald]

Most likely will be good at WS but the predicted gusts at both sites are beyond my comfort level. Going to work.

Ward

[XCanytime]

Walt and I are still going to Woodstock. ETA 11A for me. Blaine if you want to come on down you can. It would be much appreciated, Bacil

[Blaine]

On my way. Should be there around 11 also.

[wmelo]

Bacil john D, Blaine & I are @ WS. Wind direction&1st strength are great!

[wmelo]

My 2 cents:

I arrived by noon. John D arrived a few seconds after me. Bacil was already in the LA almost ready to take off. Blaine (H2 from PA) was also there.
The wind was a little bit stronger than forecasted. It was cold and cloudy. Fortunately, winds improved and the direction was almost perfect. Motivated by the weather improvement, Bacil took off and quickly move up. He told us that it was sporty, but easily soar-able.

I took off +- 30 min after him. The winds were very docile and straight. John D and Blaine helped in the wire. Modestly, I had an outstanding launch . I turned west and I got easily go over the ridge. It was however very turbulent, and cold. The sun showed up and the thermals got very strong. According to my altimeter, I flew for 1:34min, +- 3Km, and reached 1064 m (3490ft) above take off, 1605m (5262ft MSL) high.

My landing however was not good. I aimed the bridge field. However, due to the turbulence I decided at last moment to land in the field across the bridge field. My DBF was poor and my glide was pushed behind the fence, my last turned was too low, and I ended up landing on my wheels, however, since the grass is very high the wheels did not help much and my glide nose hit the ground. The pilot and the glider did not have any damage to report, however, I need to do better next time.

I felt sorry for John D who decided not to fly. I am mainly disappointed that Blaine could not fly due to the lack of an observer. We must to do something to increase the number of observers and improve the current system, since, it is very frustrating for HG2 who cannot improve his flying skills due to the lack of observers.

[XCanytime]

Arrived at 11A to moderate conditions on launch and an overcast sky starting to break up. Blaine, Walt, and John showed up thereafter. John decided not to fly using Walt's spare S2 155 so it was me and Walt on his UltraSport. As we set up the conditions on launch backed down nicely to enable me to take off at 12:30P. Got pushed to the right a little before exiting the slot and turned left into the west cross. Got up easily and headed NE to stage opposite Maurertown to try to make it to the winery. After climbing to 3600' MSL I ventured out into the valley but could not find a consistent lift line as the nice clouds stopped on the other side of the valley. Above was a thick cirrus layer with a sparse population of raggedy cumulus. It was kinda cold and the thermals seemed to be drifting from SW to NE along the ridge. So I beat feet back to launch and arrived around 1:20P just above the slot and saw Walt waiting to take off. Found some strong lift and followed it out towards the bridge field, climbing to around 2600' MSL. Hit an appreciable headwind and had to fly fast to penetrate out to the bridge field. Arrived with plenty of altitude and had a gentle touchdown on my feet in a 15 MPH wind out of the west. By this time Walt was in the air and a couple hundred over. As his flight progressed the thick cirrus layer above dissipated and the blue sky was dotted with big, puffy cumulus clouds everywhere. And he got way smaller as Blaine, John, and I observed from the breakdown area. After retrieving my truck (thanks John), I drove my glider over to North Mountain Vineyards to store the glider for a static display on Sunday at the winery. Then on to the Strasburg Hotel bar to join Walt, John, Blaine, and Brad the winery owner for food and drinks and flytalk. Many thanks to Blaine for driving down from York PA just to help out. Bacil